Written by RIP Captain Scott Speicher. The Jacksonville area Navy pilot was the first casualty of the first Gulf War when his F-18 was shot down by enemy fire in a remote area of the desert on January 17, 1991, the first day of the war.
Little was known about what happened to Speicher after the crash, and many speculated that he was taken hostage and held captive. Speicher’s widow, Joanne, kept pressure on U.S. military brass to find him, and said they were grateful investigators never gave up their search.
“The family’s proud of the way the Defense Department continued on with our request,” said family spokeswoman Cindy Laquidara. “We will be bringing him home.”
Joanne, who has since remarried to Speicher’s best friend Buddy Harris, released a statement to the press on Sunday.
“The Speicher Harris family has received, with appreciation and sorrow, the news that the remains of Capt. Speicher have been located by the United States Military,” it said. “Capt. Speicher was a brave and wonderful father, husband, and naval officer who responded without hesitation when his country needed him. In doing so, he followed many, many, others who have sacrificed for our freedom. We thank the active duty men and women whose diligence has made this happen and hope that this process has prevented another of our service men and women from being left behind. We will miss him and will never forget. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers,” the statement said.
RIP Captain Scott Speicher
